Skiing and climbing photos – galleries from adventures and expeditions

When skiing the Barbey a few days ago, we spotted a nice looking face opposite, on the Grand Lui, that we intend to ski today.

...but getting there is a long way from Grands Montets.
Starting from the first lift, we quickly skin up Col du Chardonnet.

Steph looking over the col, which we descend using the pre-installed rappel rope.

Big turns down and around the north side of Aig. d'Argentière.

Skins on again. Wolfgang and Steph approaching todays objective - the north-west face of Grand Lui.

Boot packing up the still crusty couloir.

Then a short climb along the ridge to the summit.

From the summit we overlook Glacier de Saleina and de l'a Neuve, get great views over to Mt Dolent, Grand Combain, the north-east face of Aig d'Argentiere...

...and the east face of Col superieure de Tour Noir - new plans are being made already!

At about 2pm the couloir has softened up and Wolfgang puts the first turns in it.

The snow is perfectly smooth and soft on the surface and firm underneath...

...just like we want it!

After a 3rd lunch on the glacier we skin up over Fenêtre de Saleina (Grand Lui behind us)...

...ski over Plateau du Trient...

...and reach the Trient Refuge.
A good meal and a long night's rest is very welcome after 1700m uphill and lots of good skiing.

Next morning we hike up behind the hut to Point d'Orny. From here we can pick any of the numerous, steep couloirs to ski down to Val d'Arpette.

we have a good look at all of them...

...before settling for the most east-facing one that is already soft from the morning sun.

The snow is quite heavy in the couloir. Steph skiing with plenty of wet sluff behind him.

We get 800m of fun skiing.

A short skin back up to Col des Encandies and we get access to the Trient glacier once again.

Skiing down the rolling Trient Glacier we have excellent corn snow almost all the way down to the valley.

/Eva

For more ski touring itineraries see Guided Ski Touring in Chamonix.